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Stainless Steel CD6MN vs CE8MN

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel CD6MN and CE8MN are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 520 MPa — strength does not separate them. CD6MN is harder — 230 HB against 210 HB for CE8MN — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. On the shop floor, CE8MN forms better (30 vs 20 out of 100).

CD6MNChoose it when surface hardness matters.

CD6MN vs CE8MN: properties

CD6MNCE8MN

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

75 GPa10.9 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

520 MPa75.4 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

32%
30%

Reduction in Area

45%
40%

Compressive Strength

520 MPa75.4 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Shear Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

290 MPa42.1 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

90 J66.4 ft·lbf
80 J59 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

230 HB
210 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

98 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

21 HRC
20 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

240 HV
—

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 195 GPa28.3 Msi · Bulk Modulus 162 GPa23.5 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 720 MPa104 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

16.5 W/m·K9.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
490 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.8 µm/m·K7.1 µin/in·°F
13 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
315°C599 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.15 V
-0.2 V

Corrosion Resistance

76 / 100
72 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

28 / 100
32 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

25%
30%

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
30 / 100

Castability

70 / 100
65 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

30 / 100
35 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
65 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 65 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb
60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.5 kg CO₂/kg
5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 80%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

92 kN·m/kg
93 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25 MN·m/kg
25.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

693 kJ/m³
641 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4.4 mm²/s
3.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

5
4

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

3005007001,0001,5002,0007.27.47.67.888.2Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleCE8MNCD6MN

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityCD6MNCE8MN
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.

CD6MN vs CE8MN — frequently asked

What is the difference between CD6MN and CE8MN?

Stainless Steel CD6MN and CE8MN are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 520 MPa — strength does not separate them. CD6MN is harder — 230 HB against 210 HB for CE8MN — which matters for wear surfaces and threads.

Which is cheaper, CD6MN or CE8MN?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

When should I choose CD6MN over CE8MN?

Pick CD6MN when surface hardness matters.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CD6MN and CE8MN side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.